Contents

Chapter 1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

From Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians, united in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace of mind to you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

It is well for us to thank God for you, always, our brothers, for your faith grows quickly, and the charity that each of you show to each other is great.

4

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

That's why we exalt you in the churches of God: for your patience and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

5

[Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

A tangible token of the righteous judgement of God, so that you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, which you suffer for as we do

6

Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

God is just, and will bring trouble on those who trouble you,

7

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus will come again from heaven, with his mighty angels,

8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Will take vengeance with flaming fire upon those in denial of God, and who ignore the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ

The 'vengeance with flaming fire' is in the original Greek text, and should be translated.

9

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Whose punishment shall be an everlasting and destructive separation from the Lord and from His glorious power;

10

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

when Jesus comes again to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all who believe (because you believed our testimony)

Difficult phrase. not entirely sure if "saints" is appropriate here. Perhaps "faithful" is what was intended. "Admired" is no longer expressive of the devotion we have for Christ - love is more appropriate.

Indeed a difficult phrase, but I do think 'admired' is better than 'loved'

11

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:

We will always pray for you, that God considers you among the blessed and that you will know His goodness, power and salvation

Remember that this is a letter from Paul to distinct people. An effort should be made to preserve the context of the chapters.

12

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, praise be to him, and the Holy Father. May you be blessed always.

Chapter 2

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,

We ask you, friends, in regards to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being with Him

2

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Do not be startled or troubled by either a spirit, a comment, or by a letter purportedly written by us, that says Christ has already returned

3

Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Don't let any man deceive you. That day won't come until there is a rebellion and the sinful man is shown for who he is, the son of destruction,

4

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

who opposes and praises himself above everything worshiped or called God. He will even sit in the temple of God, calling himself God.

5

Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Don't you recall that I told you this when I was with you?

6

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

You know what restrains him so he will only be revealed when the time comes.

7

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

His covert lawlessness is already at work, but only while it is held back. Once He who holds it back is taken away,

8

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

then the Evil will be revealed, who the Lord will destroy with his breath. He will smite his shining appearance,

9

[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

the man who comes to do Satan's work with great power and deceitful shows and miracles.

10

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

The unrighteous will perish because of their self-deception, because they never received God's true love, which was to save them.

11

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

It is for this reason that God will let them deceive themselves into believing a lie,

12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

that they will be condemned for not believing the truth, but reveled in unrighteousness.

13

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

We must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the start to be saved through the purifying of the Spirit and believing the truth.

Difficult but important translation. Improvements?

14

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He call you to him by our gospel so you could receive Lord Jesus Christ's glory.

15

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

So brothers, stand firm and stick with the behavior our words and letters have taught you.

16

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

We pray Lord Jesus Christ and God our loving father, who always comforts and gives us hope of salvation,

17

Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

comforts your hearts and strengthen you in your good words and work.

Chapter 3

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:

Finally, pray for us, Brothers, that the Lord's word will direct us and be glorified in us as it is in you.

2

And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith.

That we will be protected from illogical and evil men, since not all men have faith.

"unreasonable" has lost its distinct meaning.

3

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil.

The Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and shield you from evil.

4

And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

We have confidence the Lord will touch your minds, that you are doing those things which we tell you.

5

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

That the Lord steer your hearts to know the love of God and wait patiently for Christ's return.

6

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

So we charge you, brothers, in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, to leave every brother who lives immorally and against the way He gave to us.

"Command" seems a bit odd for the relationship between disciples, but does reflect God's commands. "Charge" seems to get the urgency across. Ideas?

7

For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

You know what your behavior should be, since we were not immoral among you.

8

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

We didn't eat anyone's food for nothing but paid through our hard work, night and day, so we weren't any in your debt.

9

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

Not because we didn't have the right, but to make an example of ourselves that you can follow.

10

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

For we charged you when we were with you, "if any man won't work, he won't eat."

Capitalism in a nutshell.

11

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

We've heard there are those about you who live immorally, never working, but always interfering.

12

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

We command those men in the name of Lord Jesus Christ to work diligently and earn their own keep.

"Command" works better here, where it is no recommendation, but a correction.

13

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Brothers, do not grow tired of living well.

14

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

If any man won't obey this letter, mark that man and do not mix with him, so he will see his errors.

15

Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.

But do not cast him as an enemy, but correct him as your brother.

16

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

The Lord of Peace always give you peace of mind. The Lord be with all of you.

17

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

I add Paul's greeting, which is the sign of every letter, in my own writing: